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“Take heed that ye do not your alms [giving money to the poor] before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).
There is a big difference between being selfish, and self-centered. We are all selfish at times, and this is not good. But to be self-centered is much worse, for then we want everything to revolve around us, and what we are doing. We can appear to be very concerned about others, and very ready to do something for the Lord, and yet be very self-centered.
The scribes and Pharisees made a great show of giving money to the poor, fasting (going without food), praying publicly, and keeping the law very carefully. Yet they did all these things in order to be noticed. Their hearts were full of pride, even though they appeared to be doing the Lord’s will. The Lord Jesus said of them, “All their works they do for to be seen of men” (Matthew 23:5). But true Christian service humbles us, and then we are not expecting the praise of others. In a coming day we will find, as the Lord Jesus said, “Your Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:4). Those who want the praise of men get their reward now, but it is better to wait and get our reward from the Lord in heaven.
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